A2-BC
Member
Hi,
I'm new to this forum having just swapped my 2001 BMW 320Ci for a 2005 1.4TDi Sport. I've always liked small, clever cars and almost bought one of the last Blue Colour Storms back in 2005 but they were a bit pricey at that time. Anyway the BMW coupe was something I always wanted and I found a really nice one that had just been traded in for the new shape in 2006. I thought it was a 'keeper' but in recent months I could see I was about to get battered through tax, petrol prices and, consequently, depreciation. And to be fair there are just too many of them out there now (including the new shape - 3 of them passed me in convoy the other day, all black!).
I'd been actively looking for a small but characterful car for a few weeks. I'm an automotive designer who now teaches the subject at Uni so I'm really picky. The new Fiat 500 is cool but a bit twee and I'm not keen on Minis either - great marketing but poorly packaged. The alternatives were looking rather grim and I couldn't really see myself driving something as bland as a Fiesta, Corsa or a Polo. Then I spotted the 2005 A2 1.4 TDi Sport advertised by the same independent dealer who had sold me the BM two years ago and was smitten. After looking at all the A2 reviews I could find (and spending a night or two reading through the Forums on this site) I took her for a test drive and the rest is history.
So I have gone from 6 very quiet cylinders to 3 quite 'vocal' ones but I have to say that my A2 is great. At motorway speed the engine quietens down to a nice purr, the ride smooths out and it handles beautifully. The downside is the stiff suspension and 40 profile tyres which means you have to watch out for potholes and kerbs with the vigilance of a motorcyclist. (It makes my wife's A-Class, not the most forgiving ride itself, feel like a Jaguar!). Having driven the A-Class with its massive C-pillar blind spot I don't have a problem with visibility either. That's why humans evolved to have binocular vision and heads that move! Technically the A2 was way ahead of its time in terms of emissions and new materials and I still think it looks great as a design.
But the one thing that is taking a bit of getting used to (in a nice way) is the economy. I've gone from a true 28mpg (brim to brim) in the BM driving it like a hearse to 50mpg last week in my A2 driving it 'enthusiastically' and I dare say once I get used to the diesel's characteristics this will get even better.
I'm absolutely chuffed to have found a late car in one of the nicest colours (Akoya Silver) with climate control and I think I will be hanging on to this one for as long as I can. It is already a modern classic. I'm also looking forward to some stimulating A2 and other car-related chat on these forums.
BC
I'm new to this forum having just swapped my 2001 BMW 320Ci for a 2005 1.4TDi Sport. I've always liked small, clever cars and almost bought one of the last Blue Colour Storms back in 2005 but they were a bit pricey at that time. Anyway the BMW coupe was something I always wanted and I found a really nice one that had just been traded in for the new shape in 2006. I thought it was a 'keeper' but in recent months I could see I was about to get battered through tax, petrol prices and, consequently, depreciation. And to be fair there are just too many of them out there now (including the new shape - 3 of them passed me in convoy the other day, all black!).
I'd been actively looking for a small but characterful car for a few weeks. I'm an automotive designer who now teaches the subject at Uni so I'm really picky. The new Fiat 500 is cool but a bit twee and I'm not keen on Minis either - great marketing but poorly packaged. The alternatives were looking rather grim and I couldn't really see myself driving something as bland as a Fiesta, Corsa or a Polo. Then I spotted the 2005 A2 1.4 TDi Sport advertised by the same independent dealer who had sold me the BM two years ago and was smitten. After looking at all the A2 reviews I could find (and spending a night or two reading through the Forums on this site) I took her for a test drive and the rest is history.
So I have gone from 6 very quiet cylinders to 3 quite 'vocal' ones but I have to say that my A2 is great. At motorway speed the engine quietens down to a nice purr, the ride smooths out and it handles beautifully. The downside is the stiff suspension and 40 profile tyres which means you have to watch out for potholes and kerbs with the vigilance of a motorcyclist. (It makes my wife's A-Class, not the most forgiving ride itself, feel like a Jaguar!). Having driven the A-Class with its massive C-pillar blind spot I don't have a problem with visibility either. That's why humans evolved to have binocular vision and heads that move! Technically the A2 was way ahead of its time in terms of emissions and new materials and I still think it looks great as a design.
But the one thing that is taking a bit of getting used to (in a nice way) is the economy. I've gone from a true 28mpg (brim to brim) in the BM driving it like a hearse to 50mpg last week in my A2 driving it 'enthusiastically' and I dare say once I get used to the diesel's characteristics this will get even better.
I'm absolutely chuffed to have found a late car in one of the nicest colours (Akoya Silver) with climate control and I think I will be hanging on to this one for as long as I can. It is already a modern classic. I'm also looking forward to some stimulating A2 and other car-related chat on these forums.
BC
